NSG3160 Health Assessment Exam 3 2026/2027 -
100% Correct Questions & A Grade Verified
Answers for Galen College
Assessment Scenario 1: Respiratory & Cardiac Focus
A 68-year-old patient with a 40-pack-year smoking history presents to the clinic
complaining of increased shortness of breath over the past month, worse with exertion.
The nurse begins a focused assessment.
1. When auscultating lung sounds, which technique is correct?
A) Listen over the gown to minimize patient discomfort.
B) Compare symmetrical areas side-to-side, from apices to bases.
C) Ask the patient to take shallow, rapid breaths through the mouth.
D) Use the bell of the stethoscope for optimal sound detection.
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer Text: Compare symmetrical areas side-to-side, from apices to bases.
Rationale: Systematic comparison from top to bottom and side-to-side is essential for
identifying localized abnormalities (e.g., pneumonia, effusion). The diaphragm should
be placed directly on the skin (A is incorrect). The patient should take slow, deep
breaths through the mouth (C is incorrect). The bell is for low-pitched sounds (e.g.,
some heart murmurs); the diaphragm is for higher-pitched lung sounds (D is incorrect).
2. The nurse auscultates late inspiratory crackles (rales) in the bilateral lower lobes.
Which follow-up question is most pertinent to the potential underlying cause?
A) “Do you have any pain when you take a deep breath?”
B) “Have you noticed any swelling in your ankles or feet?”
, C) “Do you have a cough, and if so, is it productive?”
D) “Do you feel short of breath when lying flat?”
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer Text: “Have you noticed any swelling in your ankles or feet?”
Rationale: Bilateral late inspiratory crackles in the lower lobes are a classic sign of
pulmonary edema, often due to left-sided heart failure. Assessing for dependent edema
(pedal, sacral) is a direct follow-up to evaluate for signs of systemic fluid overload
(heart failure). While questions about cough (C) and orthopnea (D) are relevant, edema
is a more specific linked finding. Pleuritic pain (A) suggests inflammation (e.g.,
pneumonia, PE), not typical for simple pulmonary edema.
Standalone Technique & Documentation Questions
3. The nurse is preparing to perform an abdominal assessment on a patient
reporting diffuse pain. What is the correct sequence of techniques?
A) Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection.
B) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation.
C) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation.
D) Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion.
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer Text: Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation.
Rationale: Auscultation must be performed before palpation and percussion to avoid
artificially altering bowel sounds. The standard sequence is: 1) Inspection, 2)
Auscultation, 3) Percussion, 4) Palpation. This preserves the accuracy of the abdominal
exam findings.
4. A patient reports sudden-onset chest pain. Which initial question best
characterizes the symptom using the PQRST method?
100% Correct Questions & A Grade Verified
Answers for Galen College
Assessment Scenario 1: Respiratory & Cardiac Focus
A 68-year-old patient with a 40-pack-year smoking history presents to the clinic
complaining of increased shortness of breath over the past month, worse with exertion.
The nurse begins a focused assessment.
1. When auscultating lung sounds, which technique is correct?
A) Listen over the gown to minimize patient discomfort.
B) Compare symmetrical areas side-to-side, from apices to bases.
C) Ask the patient to take shallow, rapid breaths through the mouth.
D) Use the bell of the stethoscope for optimal sound detection.
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer Text: Compare symmetrical areas side-to-side, from apices to bases.
Rationale: Systematic comparison from top to bottom and side-to-side is essential for
identifying localized abnormalities (e.g., pneumonia, effusion). The diaphragm should
be placed directly on the skin (A is incorrect). The patient should take slow, deep
breaths through the mouth (C is incorrect). The bell is for low-pitched sounds (e.g.,
some heart murmurs); the diaphragm is for higher-pitched lung sounds (D is incorrect).
2. The nurse auscultates late inspiratory crackles (rales) in the bilateral lower lobes.
Which follow-up question is most pertinent to the potential underlying cause?
A) “Do you have any pain when you take a deep breath?”
B) “Have you noticed any swelling in your ankles or feet?”
, C) “Do you have a cough, and if so, is it productive?”
D) “Do you feel short of breath when lying flat?”
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer Text: “Have you noticed any swelling in your ankles or feet?”
Rationale: Bilateral late inspiratory crackles in the lower lobes are a classic sign of
pulmonary edema, often due to left-sided heart failure. Assessing for dependent edema
(pedal, sacral) is a direct follow-up to evaluate for signs of systemic fluid overload
(heart failure). While questions about cough (C) and orthopnea (D) are relevant, edema
is a more specific linked finding. Pleuritic pain (A) suggests inflammation (e.g.,
pneumonia, PE), not typical for simple pulmonary edema.
Standalone Technique & Documentation Questions
3. The nurse is preparing to perform an abdominal assessment on a patient
reporting diffuse pain. What is the correct sequence of techniques?
A) Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection.
B) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation.
C) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation.
D) Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion.
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer Text: Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation.
Rationale: Auscultation must be performed before palpation and percussion to avoid
artificially altering bowel sounds. The standard sequence is: 1) Inspection, 2)
Auscultation, 3) Percussion, 4) Palpation. This preserves the accuracy of the abdominal
exam findings.
4. A patient reports sudden-onset chest pain. Which initial question best
characterizes the symptom using the PQRST method?
